Champion Chase Tip: Somersby

Highlight of the day is the 3.20 Champion Chase. If Master Minded is back to his best, and on this season’s form he seems to be, then he will be very hard to beat. Injury problems blighted last year’s campaign and a breathing operation in the summer seems to have worked wonders.

The only horse capable of beating him is Somersby. One more stride at Ascot and he would have. The fact he didn’t, gives us value at Cheltenham. At seven years old he is still improving and there are two big reasons why he can turn around the short-head with Master Minded.

Firstly he acts better on firmer ground, which he is more likely to get during Festival time. Secondly, the steep finish up the Cheltenham hill will play to his extra stamina.

The big danger is that his trainer Henrietta Knight has been mooting the Ryanair as his preferred option. That isn’t a problem with most bookmakers going non-runner no bet. If Somersby doesn’t run in the Champion Chase we get our money back. I therefore recommend the 8/1 with Paddypower, who are offering this concession.